By: Olivia MeadeThe beginning of the book of Genesis paints a beautiful picture of God’s character through his act of creation. In Genesis 1, we find a list of all the good things God made. Then, Genesis 2 offers more precise detail of this good creation, particularly the creation of man and woman. We read of a garden full of beauty, goodness, and truth. All seems to be well—nearly perfect—until it isn’t.
We all know what comes next in Genesis 3. Adam and Eve disobeyed, and sin marred their sweet communion with both God and creation. When God asked what happened, Adam answered, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate” (Gen. 3:12). He hadn’t hidden from God until now, and in his fear and shame, he turned on Eve. His beloved helper (ezer) was now his opposition. When God asked Eve what happened, her answer wasn’t much better. She said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Gen. 3:13). In her fear and shame, she also tried to deflect blame. Those made in the very image of God were now acting more like the deceptive serpent than their faithful Creator.
You’d think this would be the end for humanity, but it was just the beginning. God promised to redeem what he had created. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15). God’s prophetic promise in Genesis 3:15, known as the protoevangelium, set in motion the great story of redemption we find weaved throughout all of Scripture.
In those first three chapters of the Bible, we find these four thematic elements: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. God created, humanity sinned, redemption was promised, and we’re left with a hopeful longing for restoration. Most stories in Scripture are cyclical in this way and represent one (if not all) of these four elements. God weaved his Word together beautifully for our good—so that we may know him deeper and serve him faithfully. Using this framework, let’s look ahead at another story in Genesis and seek to see God’s sovereignty and goodness at work.
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
After Adam and Eve were sent east of Eden, Eve gave birth to two sons—Cain and Abel. The family cultivated the land and lived among one another in community. God’s good design for humanity is that we live together in unity and relationship. But just as Adam and Eve turned on each other after they had sinned, their own son did the same to his brother.
Cain and Abel were bringing sacrifices to God. Abel brought the “firstborn” of his flock, meaning, he was devoted enough to bring a costly offering. Cain brought an offering of the “fruit of the ground.” He didn’t work with animals like his brother Abel, which didn’t automatically make his offering illegitimate. The problem with Cain’s offering wasn’t his offering at all, but his heart. He didn’t seek to honor the Lord in his sacrifice, and clearly, didn’t regard it as important. God was pleased with Abel which angered Cain, and in his sin and shame, he turned on his brother. We read in Genesis 4:8, “Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.”
When God confronted Cain and asked where his brother had gone, Cain replied coldly, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9). And so the cycle of sin continues. Cain is concerned for his own wellbeing, but he doesn’t realize that the wellbeing of others is directly connected to our own. As Christians, we actually are our brother’s (and sister’s) keeper.
Our Perfect Brother
In Cain and Abel’s story, the biblical narrative is on full display. Cain and Abel are born and given a chance to live and flourish together (creation). Cain kills his brother Abel and shows no remorse (fall). Later in Genesis 4, Adam and Eve have another son named Seth. The lineage of Seth is blessed, contrary to the lineage of Cain which is cursed. Seth’s birth and life represent redemption. And then, the hope of restoration is found in Genesis 4:16, when the people begin to “call upon the name of the Lord” once again.
In the New Testament, Paul reminds us to “live in harmony with one another” (Rom. 12:16) and “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). Since the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sin entered Eden, human relationship has been strained. Our relationship with God, one another, and all of creation is flawed and difficult. Do you ever feel like you just can’t deal with people? Whether it’s your spouse, kids, coworkers, or neighbors. . . it’s difficult to live with other humans. That’s not just a feeling, it’s a fact supported by Scripture. We’ve inherited imperfect hearts that long for sin and self-fulfillment. We’d rather serve ourselves than serve others. But God, in his great mercy, has not left us alone.
We have a perfect brother who modeled perfect love and sacrifice for us. Because of his love, we now “share in the inheritance of the saints of light” (Col. 1:12). Jesus loved us so much that he gave his very life to save us. He defeated death and the bondage of sin, and he is preparing a place for us. Jesus’s prophetic words remind us that we “will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son” (Rev. 21:7). Our inheritance awaits us—we’ll soon live with him (and one another) in unmarred relationship.